The story of the League of the Mighty Ukraine, a film by Fabio Izzo:
The film follows Ukraine's amputee football league, established during the ongoing full-scale war. It tells the stories of players who lost limbs as a consequence of the conflict but returned to the football pitch, overcoming immense physical and psychological challenges. Through training sessions, matches, and deeply personal testimonies, the documentary explores how football becomes a path to recovery, helping people regain confidence, dignity, and a sense of belonging.
However, this film is about much more than sport. It is a story of resilience, human dignity, and the ability to find hope in the darkest of times. Set against the backdrop of contemporary Ukraine, it shows how football can become a symbol of solidarity, strength, and perseverance.
For me, it was important to tell this story with respect for those whose lives have been changed by war and to present international audiences not only with their losses but also with their courage, determination, and extraordinary strength of spirit.
Football in Times of War tells the story of the League of the Mighty Ukraine, an amputee football championship taking place in the middle of a country devastated by war.
Over two days of competition, the documentary follows a group of players whose lives have been radically changed by conflict. Some have lost limbs on the battlefield, others have experienced the consequences of war in different ways, but all share the same desire: to return to the pitch, rebuild their confidence and regain control of their future.
The film goes beyond the result of the matches, focusing on the people behind the athletes. Through intimate portraits, personal encounters and moments of everyday life, it explores how football becomes much more than a sport. It becomes a space for healing, belonging and self-discovery.
For these players, every training session and every match represents a challenge overcome. The football field becomes a meeting place where physical limitations are challenged, where new friendships are created and where personal stories of loss are transformed into stories of courage.
In a country where war has affected millions of lives, the League of the Mighty Ukraine offers a different perspective on recovery: not through forgetting the past, but through finding new ways to live with it. The players do not want to be seen only through the lens of their injuries. They are athletes, teammates and individuals with dreams, ambitions and a future to build.
Football in Times of War is a story about resilience, dignity and the universal power of sport. It shows how, even in the darkest circumstances, football can create a community where people find strength, identity and hope again.
“Many football films are told from the perspective of someone who already knows they are a supporter. This film takes a different approach: it follows a man who does not yet realise that he is one. As he prepares for an away trip that will change his life, he gradually discovers the sense of belonging, friendship, and identity that football can inspire. Set against the backdrop of wartime, the story explores how football can become much more than a sport. It offers a shared language, a refuge from fear and uncertainty, and a way for people to remain connected when the world around them is falling apart.”
"What interested me was the idea that, even in the darkest of times, a collective passion can become an act of hope. Through this journey, the protagonist discovers not only what it means to be a supporter, but also what it means to find his place in a fractured world."
Football in Times of War adopts an observational documentary style, allowing the players’ experiences, gestures and emotions to naturally shape the narrative. Rather than focusing solely on the consequences of war, the film places the athletes' human stories at the centre, capturing moments of preparation, competition, friendship and personal reflection.
The relationship between sport and war is explored through contrast: the football pitch becomes a space of freedom and normality within a reality marked by destruction and uncertainty. The game offers a temporary escape from the trauma of conflict, while also becoming a powerful symbol of recovery, identity and collective strength.
The visual language combines dynamic sequences of football action with intimate close-ups and quieter observational moments. The camera follows the rhythm of the players’ movements, from training sessions and matches to conversations and moments of connection outside the field. Natural light, real locations and direct observation create a sense of authenticity and emotional proximity.
The tone of the film is intimate and respectful. Instead of portraying the protagonists as victims, the documentary presents them as athletes, teammates and individuals reclaiming their lives. Through images of determination, solidarity and resilience, Football in Times of War explores how sport can become a place where people rebuild confidence, community and hope even in the midst of war.
